¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ is to create a thriving learning community where exemplary education is provided at every stage of a physical therapist’s career which prioritizes both the head (critical thinking) and the heart (compassion); to pursue community-engaged scientific inquiry; and to be responsive to the needs of our profession, community, and patients we serve.

Values

The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Department of Physical Therapy aims, through the education of students, to achieve the highest ideals of the physical therapy profession where physical therapists, working in partnership with their community, enable individuals to live life free from barriers to effective and enjoyable movement.

Guiding Principles

• Integrity – We can be trusted to act in a manner consistent with our professional obligations and ethics. 
• Courage – We do the right thing, even when it is hard; we accept the uncomfortable in the pursuit of growth.
• Excellence – We aim to achieve the pinnacle in all our pursuits.
• Justice – We believe that all people are deserving of equitable opportunities to pursue education and health.
• Connection – We recognize there is no relationship in which there is only a single person, that all relationships can be transformational with reciprocal engagement and effective communication.
• Lifelong Learning – We are committed to fostering an environment where learners recognize that education is a journey and not a destination.

Philosophy of the Program

The Department faculty believe that students function best in an environment that fosters personal and professional growth. The learning environment is designed to challenge students to become confident, competent, and compassionate health care professionals able to practice autonomously and ethically within a changing health care environment. Students are encouraged to identify and accomplish goals within the areas of teaching/learning, research and service. Opportunities for development are provided by program requirements and activities on campus and in the community.

Faculty and students are encouraged to mutually foster intellectual and professional development. This stimulation requires the use of creative and interactive approaches to teaching and learning. Scientific inquiry and clinical research are essential to maintaining a dynamic Department that responds to the health care needs of society and contributes to the professional knowledge base that shapes physical therapy practice.

The faculty regard physical therapy as a health-care profession having as its primary role the responsibility to meet the needs of society through health and wellness promotion; and the use of scientific principles to identify, assess, correct, or alleviate disability, impairment or movement dysfunction. The physical therapist promotes optimum health and function through the integration of elements of care that maximize patient outcome. A constantly changing health-care environment combined with a multiplicity of practice settings, professional commitment and accountability creates the need for the physical therapist to withstand social transformation. In a dynamic health-care environment the physical therapist needs to respond to the diversity of health care consumers and the circumstances for which they seek care with empathy, compassion and respect for the individual. This role for physical therapists requires critical and logical thinking and proficient problem solving through the use of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention strategies closely related to outcome management.

In addition to providing services, the physical therapist's role is to advocate for the advancement of the profession, strengthen health care policy and standards of practice, and strive to ensure the availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services. In addition to the examination and intervention of individuals with physical disability, faculty and students endorse an important role for physical therapists in preventive health care. The Department of Physical Therapy seeks to develop leaders among faculty and students who will serve as agents and advocates for positive change.